Republican candidates and incumbents push back on Trump's beef import plan and tariff moves ahead of midterms
President Trump announced a plan to allow up to 300,000 metric tons of imported ground beef into the U.S. tariff-free for 90 days, with a stated goal of reducing prices at least 25% below current market levels. Several Republican senators and candidates in competitive states publicly opposed the move, arguing it would harm domestic ranchers and farmers. The disputes arise as voter concern over the economy ranks as the dominant issue ahead of the November midterm elections, with 31% of respondents in a YouGov-Economist poll citing inflation and prices as their top concern.
President Trump announced via Truth Social his intent to allow 300,000 metric tons of imported ground beef into the U.S. tariff-free over a 90-day period, with a commitment that the product would be sold at 25% below current market prices. The announcement came as ground beef prices reached roughly $7 per pound and the U.S. cattle herd hit historic lows not seen since the 1950s, according to USDA data.
The plan drew immediate public objections from Republican lawmakers in cattle-producing states. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas said beef prices are high because "our cattle herd is too small" and urged Trump to "reconsider." Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska said "flooding the market with lower quality beef compromises Nebraska farmers and ranchers." Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota posted "This Hurts!" and Sen. Tim Sheehy of Montana said he had advised Trump against the move for the past year because it would harm ranchers, "most of whom are MAGA Republicans." Rep. Ashley Hinson, the Republican Senate candidate in Iowa's competitive open-seat race rated a toss-up by Cook Political Report, said, "I want to lower prices, but this is a bad idea." Trump defended the plan, saying: "That's what the voters want, and that's what I want."
Beyond beef, CNN reported that Trump also announced 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, describing the move as a potential trade war with the U.S.'s largest trading partner that could raise prices in states with key Senate races. Four of six states rated toss-ups by Cook Political Report — Alaska, Maine, Michigan, and Ohio — border Canada. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said the tariffs "will increase costs for Maine families," and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he had not seen a "rationale" for them.